Rocky Marciano vs Gene Tunney

The difference being Tunney would not be 38 years old.

 

Only difference is Walcott at 38 ran out of gas and got caught. Prime Tunney not running out of gas.

 

Was calling Dempsey a shell of his former self just an excuse to perpetuate the popular legend of the powerful ruggedly handsome charismatic star? Maybe he just finally ran into someone better than him that made him look bad. I know all the stories he was soft from hanging out in Hollywood etc but he wasn’t that old: 31.

 

This isn’t an exhibition. Let’s do 60 rounds or last man standing.

 

Yeah, I think that’s one of the key considerations in so far as Gene not having the power to deter Rocky - otherwise Gene would have to be pedalling his bike uber fast all night over what I assume is at least a 15 rounder.

 

I used to think that way a bit but, after considering how long he had been fighting, his later dissipation and inactivity after he hit it big and looking more closely at Dempsey’s fights pre Tunney, I think one can observe clear deteriorations that Dempsey had experienced in his own right - not least being his all important legs that had served his mobility and getting in and out of strike range so well in his earlier years. That’s not at all to dismiss prime Dempsey perhaps still having some stylistic issue with Tunney.

 

Tunney fought in a more demanding era, so I'd pick him...

 

Taylor vs Chavez came to mind when I read the title.

 

Tunney would do well......until he didn't. Marciano via later TKO.

 

Marciano would have problems with Tunney’s hand and foot speed. I’m leaning Tunney but could go either way.

 

I have watched all of the available Dempsey footage many, many times and I will stand by my shell statement vs. Gene Tunney. Evidently, with all of the inactivity, the rough life he had, and a style of fighting that did not aid in career longevity, Jack's age had very little to do with his decline. But the decline is very obvious on the films we have of him.